Today, DEED is releasing the Main Street Economic Revitalization Program request for proposals (RFP). There will be two rounds of funding. The first round, which will award no more than $40 million, will open on August 3rd and close on August 31st. Dates for the second round have not yet been identified but will be before March 1, 2022.

We invite Minnesota foundations, nonprofits and communities to join us for additional information sessions, which will be held on:

• Thursday, August 5th at 11:00 am. You can join here
• Thursday, August 12th at 11:00 am. You can join here

The Main Street Economic Revitalization Program is an $80 million statewide economic redevelopment program that will award grants to partner organizations to establish programs within specific communities to provide grants and guaranteed loans for economic development and redevelopment projects. These projects will address the greatest needs that have arisen in our communities since March 15, 2020 and spur economic revitalization across Minnesota.

We have held two information sessions on this new program, and encourage you to see if they might be helpful in answering any questions you have.

• First Informational Webinar which also includes additional new legislative programs.  
• Second Informational Webinar

Eligible partners include foundations, community development financial institutions and community development organizations. While eligible recipients for grants and loans include businesses, nonprofit organizations and developers – and can be used for demolition, repairing, renovating and constructing of eligible projects.

Proposals submitted by partner organizations will be awarded based on the greatest need of the surrounding community and economic impact of the proposed program.

Once partnership organizations are selected and programs established eligible recipients will have the opportunity to seek assistance through partner organizations serving their community.

It's important to note that eligible recipients do not apply directly to DEED for grants or loans. Once selected, the list of partner organizations will be publicly available along with their contact information and instructions on how to request assistance for a specific eligible project.